Sail For Joy looks the value

THE Vaal Standside track meeting tomorrow has some highlights despite falling in the Highveld off season.

Star Of Joburg moved up well over 1600m last time before finding no extra and should enjoy the step down to 1400 in the seventh race, a MR 80 over 1400m.

He is an up and coming threeyear-old gelding and is the selection.

However, the others to include in the PA are Unrehearsed and Sail For Joy. The former has not been disgraced in his last three from 1200m to 1400m and now has his third run after a layoff off a two point lowered merit rating. He won over this trip in December but did over race that day so will need to settle better.

Sail For Joy

Sail For Joy has won four times over this course and distance and won comfortably over this trip on the Inside track last time so can handle a two point merit rated raise. Shortstop and Captain Chips can be included in the Pick 6.

Shortstop is an ultra consistent sort and has won twice over course and distance. Captain Chips is ideally suited to 1400m and the only possible concern is his low draw, although this season the high draws have not always been favourable as they were in the past on this track.

Fortune

The Ashley Fortune-trained Rebel's Idol in race six is chosen as the best bet although she is not a confident choice. Cape Town racing is the strongest in the country and handicappers from there often arrive in other centres with merit ratings which have been unrealistically suppressed. She is a case in point as she won comfortably on her Highveld debut over 1000m off a 50 merit rating.

She has been raised five points and a furher concern is the trip of 1200m as she has plenty of pace and has been kept to 1000m for most of her career. However, the Kenilworth 1000m is a tough one and if she can win there she should be able to handle 1200m on the fast Vaal track. For the Pick 6 Virginia Moon and Announcing Rain can be included.

The Fortunes could have a double as Winter Storm, who runs in the last race over 1600m, caught the eye on debut.

What A Winter

This What A Winter gelding has a lovely big action and his dam by National Emblem won over 2000m so he should stay the trip. He showed good early pace on debut so the only slight concern is whether he will settle over this step up in trip.